[特輯]남북관계 변화와 러시아의 한반도 정책

North-South Rapprochement and Russia's Policy towards the Korean Peninsula

The Soviet Union under Gorbachev and, later, Russia pursued 'Two Korea Policy', thereby having forced North Korea to change, though reluctantly, its 'One Korea Policy', which paved way te a gradual process to dismantle a Cold War structure on the Korean peninsula. Since 1994, however, relations between South Korea and Russia cooled down, and Russian policy orientation has changed from a higher priority of South Korea to a so-called balance between two Koreas. Arguing that its changed policy line better contributes to the peace and stability in the peninsula, Russia has been making an effort to rekindle its old friendly relationship with North Korea and to regain its influence over the Korean peninsula. But Russia's changed Korean policy was not paid off well. With South-North summit and rapprochement in June 2000 as a momentum, Russia activated its Policy towards the Korean Peninsula. For example, President Putin visited Pyongyang in July for the first time as a Russian state head throughout the Soviet Union and Russia. In general you can safely say that the improvement of relations between North Korea and Russia will be helpful to the further development of South-North cooperative relations. Nevertheless, to maximize the benefit, South Korean government should be highly prudent in diplomatic considerations in order to secure Russia's support to our commitment to peaceful and gradual reunification.